Founders to Launch in Tennessee

Founders Brewing Co. today announced plans to expand distribution into the four major metropolitan areas of Tennessee with a network of distributors.

Beginning in April, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based brewery’s year-round and seasonal offerings will be available on draft throughout Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, with bottles arriving in subsequent shipments.

“We’ve been distributing in most of the states surrounding Tennessee for years,” said co-founder and CEO Mike Stevens in a company statement. “Beer enthusiasts in Tennessee have been growing the craft beer scene, and they’ve been patient with us. We’re excited to be able to bring our beer to them.”

The Volunteer State neighbors the “South Central region,” a cluster of states including Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, which the brewery announced it would be launching into earlier this month.

The addition of Tennessee brings the brewery’s total distribution footprint to 31 states.

Founders crossed the 100,000-barrel threshold in 2013, one of only 30 breweries in the country to reach the barrelage milestone. Its 111,000 barrels represented a 63-percent increase over the year prior.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Founders Brewing Co. announced today that it is expanding its distribution territory to include the Volunteer State, with a network of distributors slated to represent the brand across almost the entire state of Tennessee beginning in April.

“We’ve been distributing in most of the states surrounding Tennessee for years,” said Co-Founder and CEO Mike Stevens. “Beer enthusiasts in Tennessee have been growing the craft beer scene, and they’ve been patient with us. We’re excited to be able to bring our beer to them.”

Founders distribution coverage will include the four major metropolitan areas of Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville. Residents of Tennessee can expect to find Founders’ year-round and seasonal products on draft in the first shipment. Bottles will begin arriving in the next shipment, and specialty releases will follow the brewery’s release schedule from there.

Founders recently announced distribution in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana in addition to Tennessee, bringing the brewery’s total distribution footprint to 31 states. For a list of all the states in which Founders is available and the brewery’s 2014 availability calendar, visit foundersbrewing.com.

About Founders Brewing Co.

Established in 1997 by two craft beer enthusiasts with day jobs and a dream, Founders Brewing Co. has made a distinctive mark on the craft beer community by brewing complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. Founders is one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the nation, currently ranking among the top 30 largest craft breweries in the U.S. The brewery has received numerous awards from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival, and its beers are often rated among the best in the world by RateBeer and BeerAdvocate users. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild and the Brewers Association. For more information, visit www.foundersbrewing.com.

Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers both had steady jobs when they decided to chase their dreams and open a brewerywhich meant writing a business plan, quitting their jobs, and taking out giant loans. They...